Levis Reading Prize
Deadline February 1 (must be received by this date), formerly January 15. Highly recommended free contest awards $5,000 for a first or second book of poetry by a US resident published during the preceding calendar year. Winner also receives an expenses-paid trip to Richmond, VA for a reading in the fall. Publisher must email a PDF of the book AND send three copies of the book, a cover letter, and a brief author bio by mail. Awarded by the Department of English and its MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Source: https://english.vcu.edu/about/national-literary-awards/levis-reading-prize/
Published: October 26, 2026
